WELCOME TO EPOK: TEDDY ASH

Posted
on 13th July 2019

Teddy Ash (14-4), a champion in both the Unified MMA and Prestige Fighting Championship promotions, is the latest Canadian fighter to sign on with EPOK.

Ash, 29, has steadily risen to the top of the Canadian scene since turning pro back in 2013, with 10 of his 14 pro wins coming by way of knockout. Since 2018, Ash has been on the best run of his career, posting a 5-1 overall record while winning both the middleweight and light-heavyweight championships in Unified MMA, as well as the light-heavyweight title in PFC.

Now the two-division powerhouse is ready to take the next step.

“I’m really excited,” said Ash, who is a friend and training partner of fellow EPOK fighter Tanner Boser. “It’s been a big change. I was previously with another management group – I made the decision to leave and reached out to Ajay Chander to sign with EPOK. I’ve seen the success they have achieved, and I believe it’s a perfect fit for me. I had strong intuition about it. And sure enough, I went for it.”

While 2018 was a title-filled year for the man known as Teddy “Bear”, 2019 has also yielded plenty of gold. In his most recent fight in May, Ash defended his Unified MMA light-heavyweight title for the first time, defeating Neil Berry via first-round TKO at United MMA 37. And in March, Ash defended the Unified MMA middleweight title in a rematch with Dominque Steele at Unified MMA 36, winning the contest via TKO to avenge his knockout loss to Steele from their previous encounter.

Next up for the Fort McMurray, Alberta native will be one of the biggest opportunities of his career: a shot at winning a UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series on August 27.

“I’m really happy that I’m on the Contender Series,” said Ash. It’s something I’ve had my eye on for a while. Sure enough, Ajay [Chander] pulled that out of his hat right off the bat.”

It’s well known at this point, but in case you weren’t aware, UFC president Dana White is looking for exciting fighters who aren’t risk adverse and are willing to stand in the pocket for the kill. Ash says that won’t be an issue as his style is one that assuredly fits the bill.

“Stylistically, the way that I fight, I’m exactly what Dana White wants to see,” said Ash, who trains at both Shaved Bears MMA and Frank Lee’s Muay Thai in Edmonton. “I’ve always been that way. It’s just the way that I am.”

While Dana White’s Contender Series is obviously a gigantic opportunity and one that may end up becoming career changing for Ash, he says he won’t force the issue by hunting for a knockout, saying, “I’m not taking this fight as any extra pressure like, “I gotta have fireworks” or “I gotta knock this guy out.” I just gotta be myself in there and boom, it’s going to happen on its own.”

Like most fighters, one of Ash’s goals is to fight for the world’s biggest MMA promotion: the UFC. And the next step towards that goal is right in front of him with his upcoming fight on Dana White’s Contender Series. And that, he says, is where his focus will lie for now. He’ll worry about whatever’s next after that, but not beforehand.

“My short-term goals are going to set me up for the long-term. I want to be the best I can be and fight on the highest platform I can be on. But right now, it’s one fight at a time. I want to go in there on Contender Series and perform my best, do my best and let the rest come after that.”